Red Pen Mama

I am having a deep dilemma. (In so far as blogging dilemmas go, anyhow.)

I really want to write about the X show, and my unique experience of it.

I want to write about what it was like to suddenly be in 1996 again, only this time with my husband, and the knowledge that I had to get up early the next day to take care of my kids.

But it is the Wednesday* after a long weekend, and somehow these things have lost their immediacy.

You may think that I would have had the opportunity, over the long weekend, to actually write about these things. Clearly, this is not the case.

The weekend was very busy. I have to say, it was a good one.

Friday night, for all of its attendant strangeness, was great fun.

Saturday, I bought my herbs, and two tomato plants, and I managed to get them repotted, even with my 3-year-old helping me.

Sunday I got a lot done, too, although DearDR, for all of his good intentions, did not come close to accomplishing what he set out (to plan) to do. Poor DearDR — his “adventures” this weekend would make a whole blog entry themselves.

Bun said several new words this weekend: eye; bug; boo-boo; eat, also making the sign; “mite-mite” for goodnight; “kay” for okay, and a couple of times something suspiciously like thank you, sounding like “tank-oh”. I think she is trying to say Monkey’s name, too.

Much puddle splashing was accomplished (Bun’s nickname on Monday: Stinky McWetpants), and plant watering, and bubble-blowing, and dancing, and digging in dirt.

And then I still have this back-log of experience of Friday night that will not go away. I am going to have to write about it, although it has little to do with my kids or my experience as a mother, which, ostensibly, this blog is about.

Guess I better get on it.

* I had every intention of downloading video and uploading this post yesterday. But then I got a call from Day Care Lady that Monkey had been crying all day and complaining that her ear hurt. I honestly did not believe her at first — Monkey had been great all weekend, more than great. But a 7 p.m. trip to the pediatrician confirmed her fourth ear infection in five months, with the added bonus of a perforated eardrum. We’ll be seeing an ENT (ear-nose-throat) specialist (and a chiropractor) in the next few weeks to figure out what is next.

I wish every Saturday was just like this.

If you do not want to reach through the screen to cuddle Bun when she says hi to the camera, your heart is made of cold, hard stone.

My voice is super loud on here, but you should really turn up the volume to hear how cute Monkey sounds.

Sorry about Monkey’s pants. We’re working on it. But if she’s like her mama, she won’t have hips until she actually gives birth.

From Chag at Cynical Dad, I lifted this fun little meme.

For the name of your band, take the title of this page.
The title of your album is the last four words of the last quote on this page. If you’re not happy, cheat and hit the button for more random quotes.
Finally, your album art is the third picture on this page.

If you can, Photoshop the whole mess together (I am barely talented enough to do this), and post it on your site.

I originally tried to do this from Niobe’s page, but my band name was going to be List of Optometry Schools, and even I am not that lame. I let her inspire me differently instead.

I decided to link to the first music video I ever saw. (Can’t embed it. Darn.)

Can you spot the misspelled word?

Edited to add: Here are some other cool album covers around the blog-o-sphere: Niobe’s; the weirdgirl (who is apparently having my week, too… will try roller derby name soon); Sci-Fi Dad; and Ewe.

I couldn’t find the song I wanted, namely “Hoodoo Voodoo” done by Wilco from Mermaid Avenue. “Hoodoo Voodoo” was a song Woody Guthrie wrote for his kids, and it’s a great kid song.

We don’t own a lot of kid music, and it’s very challenging for me to play “mommy” music around them. I have to screen for language and imagery when choosing from my collection.

But the Mermaid Avenue CDs are fantastic. And my kids love them!

The song below is also a favorite of DearDR’s. I’m proud of that fact because I introduced him to it, so to speak.

I have somehow managed to get everyone out of the house. Well, excepting the dog (my sister’s) and the sleeping baby Bun. I figured I better get this post in because in about one hour, all hell is going to break loose on my house. In other words, we are having a birthday party for a three-year-old; seven other children will be here.

I am posting the video below because it has resonated for DearDR and me over the past few days.

DearDR’s boss showed this to him a couple of days ago, in reference to him finally earning his license to practice psychology. He’s been at this agency for seven years now, and they have always encouraged him to do more and go further. And now that he has, we all will reap the reward that has been sown.

Look at the contestant’s face throughout the video. Watch the expressions of the judges — and especially how they change.

And don’t give up. Dream big, dream little. But for God’s sake — dream.